ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry P. Treñas ordered the suspension of the city’s Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) for 45 days effective July 8.
Treñas yesterday issued Executive Order No. 001-2022 directing the temporary suspension of Regulation Ordinance No. 2022-027, otherwise known as “The LPTRP, and for other purposes.”
Treñas cited the still existing COVID-19 pandemic which requires observance to health and safety protocols, the increasing prices of commodities, the inflation experienced by both national and local economies, the public clamor, and the impending increase of commuters due to the upcoming opening of classes. These necessitate appropriate adjustments to the current implementation of the new routes, according to Treñas.
Before the temporary suspension takes effect, there will be a seven-day transition period from July 1 to 7 wherein the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) will coordinate with the transport cooperatives plying the routes in Iloilo City, as well as the transport associations of the first town routes (Oton, Pavia, Leganes) and the old city loop routes for the temporary suspension of the implementation of the LPTRP.
“Para maka-prepare ang mga transport cooperatives, mga permits from LTFRB, kag iban pa,” said PSTMO head Jeck Conlu.
It can be noted that the city’s LPTRP allows only city loop jeepneys to haul into the city all provincial passengers from transport terminals located in the city’s boundary barangays. It prohibits provincial jeepneys from entering the city.
Meanwhile, the PSTMO will prepare contingency plans for expected traffic congestion in temporarily allowing transport associations of the first town routes and the old city loop routes to ply the streets of Iloilo City.
After the lapse of the seven-day transition period, the PSTMO is enjoined from implementing the LPTRP for a period of 45 days to give all stakeholders in the public transport system (operators, cooperatives, drivers, riding public, and the LTFRB) an opportunity to address their respective concerns to the Iloilo City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).
Conlu clarified that while the old routes will be revived during the suspension of the LPTRP, the new seven routes will remain. These new routes are Tagbak – Lapuz via Coastal Loop, Bito-on – La Paz via Coastal Loop, Villa – Jaro via Sooc / Oñate / Festive Walk Transport Hub, Tagbak – Festive Walk Transport Hub via SM City / Atria, Ungka – La Paz via ISATU Loop, Mohon – Mandurriao Business District, and La Paz – Festive Walk Transport Hub via Nabitasan Loop.
Meanwhile, the 45-day suspension period will be intended for the conduct of the consultation with all of the stakeholders in the public transport system.
“Within 45 days, obrahon namon ang tanan nga mga modifications, tanan nga nakuha sa consultations kag kon ma-approve sya within 45 days sang DOTr, ma-implement kami balik pero kon indi pa, ma-extend lang,” Conlu explained.
Moreover, PSTMO is directed to perform all necessary tasks to ensure that the flow of traffic within the streets of Iloilo City are controlled and regulated, and that the congestion should be maintained at a minimum.
The queues along all transport terminals should also be properly monitored and regulated and the PNP should assist the PSTMO in maintaining peace and order.
Furthermore, only those public utility vehicles with permits to operate, valid and existing franchises, or special permits shall be allowed to ply the streets of Iloilo City and ferry passengers along routes allowed by the LTFRB./PN
